By Laura Gatea Commercial lis pendens in New York City reached a five-year low in the first quarter of 2013, dropping by 25 percent from the previous quarter and by 46 percent from the peak, recorded in the second quarter of 2009. Brooklyn compiled 51 percent of the total commercial lis pendens activity in the city; however, the current number is down 27 percent from the fourth quarter of 2012 and 39 percent year over year. Manhattan followed the overall trend of the city, with commercial lis pendens down by 65 percent from the highest value, which was recorded in…